Adjustable fulcrum for diving board



March 19, 1968 w. J. RINIKER ADJUSTABLE FULCRUM FOR DIVING BOARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1965 INVENTOR.

9 O BY @wm WW fi Wa/fer J. Pin/War Filed July 27, 1965 March 19, 1968 w RlNlKER 3,373,990

ADJUSTABLE FULCRUM FOR DIVING BOARD 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig. 3

Walter J; RIM/(er IN VEN TOR.

BY WW Z5.

Attorneys United States Patent Ofifrce 3,373,990 Patented Mar. 19, 1968 3,373,990 ADJUSTABLE FULCRUM FOR DIVING BOARD Walter J. Riniker, 1059 Aileen St., Lafayette, Galif. 94549 Filed July 27, 1965, Ser. No. 475,133

6 Claims. (Cl. 272-66) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE An elongated generally cylindrical fulcrum member extending transversely beneath a diving board intermediate its opposite ends and rollingly supported for rolling movement longitudinally of the diving board, sprocket The present invention relates to a springboard and more specifically to an adjustable fulcrum for use with a springboard or diving board.

Springboards used for diving into swimming pools have been in use for many years. These boards are used both in otficial diving contests and also by those persons desiring the pleasure associated with propelling oneself through the air as a means for entering into a swimming pool. Due to the varying body weights of individuals, as well as the various types of uses to which springboards are put, is is desirable to be able to adjust the effective resiliency of a diving board.

Many springboards and diving boards are in existence and currently being built which have fixed fulcrums and therefore have fixed resiliencies, the effective resiliency of a fixed fulcrum diving board or springboard being determined only by the inherent resiliency of the piece of lumber making up the board. This invention has therefore been devised in order to provide a means for adjusting the resiliency of previously fixed fulcrum diving boards by providing an adjustable fulcrum for use therewith.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide means for adjusting the fulcrum and hence the effective resiliency of springboards or diving boards.

In furtherance of the above object, it is another object of the instant invention to provide a novel supporting fulcrum device for springboards which may be incorporated into new springboards or diving boards or may be quickly and easily installed on existing springboards.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide a durably constructed adjusted springboard fulcrum-supporting device which is extremely easy to install and which is simple in operation and inexpensive of manufacture.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable fulcrum adapter for existing fixed fulcrum diving boards which may be added to such diving boards without any modification to the board itself or to the supporting standards for the diving board.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, an in which:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a conventional diving board including the apparatus of the present invention in place thereon;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view similar to FIGURE 1, with the diving board broken away to better illustrate the apparatus of the present invention; and

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially on the plane of the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3.

Referring nOW to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURE 1, reference numeral 10 refers to a conventional diving board assembly. The diving board assembly includes an elongated diving board 14 which is preferably made of lumber or other equally flexibly resilient material. The diving board is supported at the back end of back standard 12 by a connection 16 which is swingingly mounted on the crossbar 18 of the back standard 12. Also conventionally provided with diving board assemblies is the front standard generally designated at 20, including upstanding portions 22 and 24 and crossbars 26 and 2S joining adjacent upstanding members. A pair of identical elongate connecting members 30 join opposite pairs of upstanding members 22 and 24 and are connected thereto by the T-connections 32. The front and back standards are mounted to the ground. by conventional mounting plates 34. It will be appreciated, of course, that the front and back standards 12 and 20 are conventionally constructed of tubular members such as iron pipe or the like.

The adjustable fulcrum of the present invention consists of a saddle generally designated at 36 which is adapted to be mounted on the cross members 26 and 28 of the front standard 20. The saddle 36 includes first and second elongate members 38 and 40 such as conventional wooden lumber two-by-fours. The elongate members 38 and it) are joined at their ends by a pair of cross irons 42 and 44, which are approximately 1" wide by A" thick and which are mounted transversely across the tops of the elongate members 38 and 40, as for example by mounting bolts 46. Also included as a part of the saddle 36 are corner safety plates 48 having rounded edges as shown in FIGURE 3, such safety plates 48 being mounted in the angles formed by the intersection of the elongate members and cross irons to provide four rounded corners forthe saddle thereby eliminating the possibility of injury or damage to persons using the diving board. The corner safety plates 48 are mounted in these angles as for example by being welded to the cross irons.

Thus, it is apparent, in accordance with the above description, that the saddle 36 comprises a generally rectangular structure of sturdy construction and light weight which may be placed under the board 14 and on the cross members 26 and 28 of the front standard 20. The saddle 36 is retained in place on the front standard by U-shaped clamp members 50 which are mounted about the cross members 26 and 28 and fastened to the underside of the elongate members 38 and 40, as for example by conventional screws 52.

The saddle 36 is mainly useful for providing a relatively sturdy and quickly mountable base for the adjustable fulcrum 54 which provides a means for changing the effective resiliency of the board 14. The adjustable fulcrum comprises an elongate bar or rod 56 of cylindrical cross section which, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, is mounted transversely across the front standard 20 and saddle 36. The rod 56 has mounted thereon a rubber sleeve member 58 which provides a resilient riding surface for the rod as it moves over the elongate members 38 and 40 and under the board 14. Further, the rubber sleeve 58 will prevent wear to the elongate members 38 and 4t) and the board 14, especially when the board 14 rotates about the back standard 12 in response to deflection thereof when a diver uses the board, thereby causing the board to bounce vigorously on the fulcrum 54. The rod 56 has a handwheel 68 attached to one end thereof, as for example by welding, as shown in FIG- URF. 2. The handwheel 60 includes a mounting plate portion 62 and a handgrip portion 64 with connection therebetween provided by spokes 66. Thus, it may be appreciated that by means of the handwheel 60, the rod 56 may be moved longitudinally along the elongate members 38 and 40 and under the board 14 thereby providing means for adjusting the fulcrum point of the board 14. However, it will also be appreciated that without some means of guiding the rod 56 as it moves along between the elongate members and the board, the rod 56 could become skewed with respect to the saddle and board and could even be displaced from this intermediate position by continued bouncing of the board thereon. It is extremely desirable to maintain the rod 56 as close as possible to right angular relationship to the centerline of the board and saddle in order to ensure line contact between the rod and the undersurface of the board and thereby increased efficiency as a fulcrum device. Further, it is desirable to be able to maintain the fulcrum 54 fixed in a set position in order to ensure a constant fulcrum point prior to any movement or adjustment thereof. In order to provide such means for moving and guidmg the fulcrum 54 between the saddle 36 and board 14, a pair of sprocket wheels 68 and 78 are mounted on the rod 56 slightly inwardly of the ends thereof and outwardly of the sleeve 58. The sprocket wheels 68 and 70 are preferably of substantially sturdy metallic material and are preferaby welded in place on the rod 56, as Illustrated in FIGURE 2. The sprocket wheels 68 and 70 include equally spaced teeth 72 about the periphery thereof. A pair of sprocket link chains 74 and 76 are provided for engagement with the teeth 72 of sprocket wheels 68 and 70. The chains 74 and 76 are mounted at one end by hooks 78 which are fastened in holes slightly spaced from each end of the cross iron 44. The chains extend over the sprocket wheels 68 and '70 in engagement therewith. In order to provide a substantial degree of resilient resistance to the bar as it is moved longltudrnally between the saddle and board and thereby to retain the bar in a set position, a pair of relatively sturdy COll springs 80 and 82 are provided, the springs 80 and 82 providing a resilient connection between the ends of the chains 74 and 76 and the other cross iron 42. Thus, it may be observed in FIGURE 1 that the springs 80 and 82 terminate in hook portions 84 thereby allowing the springs to be hooked between each chain 74 and 76 and the cross iron 42. Of course, it will be appreciated that the degree of tension maintained in the chains 74 and 76 is directly dependent upon the strength of the springs 80 and 82 and may be regulated in order to change the amount of force necessary to turn the handwheel 60. Further, as the fulcrum is moved closer to the spring end of the chains, more force will be necessary to move the fulcrum in that direction.

In order to keep the chain 74 on the sprocket wheel 68 a pair of chain guards 86 and 88 are mounted on the rod 56 on either side of the sprocket 68. The chain guards 86 and 88 are preferably welded on the rod 56. The guard 86 includes metal guard member 90 and a rubber washer-like guard member 92. A chain guard 94 is provided adjacent sprocket 70, this guard being identical to chain guard 86 described above. The mounting plate 62, however, takes the place of chain guard 88 as a means for keeping the chain 76 on sprocket 70.

The chain guards 86 and 94 also serve the function of providing a guide for the diving board 14 as it bounces on the sleeve 58. Thus, the guards 86 and 94 will act to retain the board 14 therebetween, thereby preventing lateral movement of the board during use thereof. The rubber guard members 92 protect the board during lateral movement thereof.

A pair of relatively. small diameter iron pipes 96 and 98 are provided to extend longitudinally along the outside of the elongate members 38 and 4t) and are mamtained in this position by being welded, as for example by weld 100, to the cross irons 42 and 44. These pipes 96 and 98 serve the function of spacing the guards 86 and 94 apart from the board 14 and saddle 36, and allow the inside surfaces of the guards 86 and 94 to ride thereagainst during movement of the rod 56 along the saddle, themhv preventing undue wear to the members 92.

Thus, in view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the saddle 36 and adjustable fulcrum 54, mounted thereon for movement between the saddle 36 and the diving board 14, provide a relatively simple, yet extremely useful attachment for diving boards. It will be noted, especially by viewing FIGURE 1, that the saddle may be installed on the front standard 20 so that the saddle is parallel to a line between the tops of upstanding portions 22 and 24. Being thus mounted, the normal inclination of the diving board will not be affected by the use of the adjustable fulcrum. However, the front end of the saddle may be raised, as for example by placing spacer blocks between the front end of the saddle and the cross member 26, thereby raising the front end of the board 14. Referring to FIGURE 3, the operation of the adjustable fulcrum will be appreciated by observing that the adjustable fulcrum 54 is moved from the position shown in solid lines to that shown in ghost lines. Thus, simply by operating the handwheel 60, the rod 56 may be moved over the upper surface of the elongate members 38 and 40. For example, movement of the wheel 69 in a clockwise direction, as viewed in FIGURES 1 and 3, will move the adjustable fulcrum from the full line position to the ghost line position.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a springboard apparatus including a supporting frame member and a springboard, an adjustable fulcrum device comprising, saddle means adapted for mounting on said supporting member, fulcrum means supported by said saddle means, means for moving said fulcrum means over said saddle means, and means for guiding said fulcrum means during said movement over said saddle means, said fulcrum means comprising elongate cylindrical bar means disposed transversely over said saddle means and said supporting member, said moving means comprising a handwheel connected to one end of said bar means whereby rotation of said handwheel will cause said bar means to move longitudinally over said saddle means, said springboard being disposed longitudinally over said saddle means and rotatably supported at one end, said springboard being supported intermediate its opposite ends solely from said bar means whereby a line contact of support of said springboard from said bar means is provided, said guiding means comprising at least one sprocket means mounted on said bar means, chain means mounted longitudinally along said saddle means and contacting said sprocket means whereby when said bar means is moved longitudinally of said saddle means said sprocket means will continuously engage said chain means, said chain means being attached at one end to a first end of said saddle means, resilient spring means mounted to the second end of said saddle means, the other end of said chain means attached to said resilient spring means whereby said means will provide resilient resistance to said bar means as said bar means is moved longitudinally along said saddle means thereby providing effective guidance for said bar means during such movement.

2. In a spring board apparatus including a supporting frame member and a springboard, an adjustable fulcrum device comprising, saddle means adapted for mounting on said supporting member, fulcrum means supported by said saddle means, means for moving said fulcrum means over said saddle means, and means for guiding said fulcrum means during said movement over said saddle means, said fulcrum means comprising elongate cylindrical bar means disposed transversely over said saddle means and said supporting member, said moving means comprising a handwheel connected to one end of said bar means whereby rotation of said handwheel will cause said bar means to move longitudinally over said saddle means, said springboard disposed longitudinally over said saddle means and rotatably supported at one end, said springboard being supported intermediate its opposite ends solely from said bar means in a manner establishing a thin line contact between said bar means and the undersurface of said spring board, said guiding means comprising sprocket means mounted on each end of said bar means, chain means mounted longitudinally along said saddle means and contacting said sprocket means whereby when said bar means is moved longitudinally of said saddle means said sprocket means will continuously engage said chain means, said chain means being attached at one end to a first end of said saddle means, resilient spring means mounted to the second end of said saddle means, the other end of said chain means attached to said resilient spring means whereby said chain means will provide resilient resistance to said bar means as said bar means is moved longitudinally along said saddle means thereby providing effective guidance for said bar means during such movement.

3. In combination, an elongated spring board supported at one end portion, a support structure including portions thereof extending longitudinally of said board intermediate its opposite ends, elongated fulcrum means rollingly supported from said support structure portions for rolling .movement therealong and passing transversely beneath said board and supporting the latter intermediate its opposite ends, sprocket means carried by said fulcrum means and elongated chain means entrained over and at least slightly bowed by said sprocket means and generally paralleling said board, anchor means anchoring said chain means at opposite end to said support structure, said anchor means including spring means anchoring one end of said chain means to said support means in a manner serving to lengthwise tension said chain means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said portions of said support structure include a pair of elongate members disposed longitudinally of said springboard and removably fastened to the remainder of said support structure.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 including transverse brace means rigidly connecting said elongate members substantially adjacent the ends thereof whereby a substantially rectangular structure is defined and supported by said support structure.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said fulcrum means comprises elongate cylindrical bar means, a handwheel connected to one end of said bar means whereby rotation of said handwheel will cause said bar means to move longitudinally over structure portions, said springboard disposed longitudinally over said structure portions and rotatably supported at said one end, said springboard being in contact only with said bar means whereby line contact is provided between said bar means and said springboard.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,921,664 8/1933 Finigan 272-66 3.125,340 3/1964 Baker 27266 RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner. 

